Talarico Flips Texas Senate Seat in Historic Upset

Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton to flip Texas’s U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first Democrat elected statewide in Texas since 1994 and the first to win a Texas Senate race since 1988. The upset ended decades of Republican dominance in a state Donald Trump carried by roughly 14 points in 2024 and could prove pivotal in the fight for Senate control. Talarico, an Austin-area state representative and former teacher, campaigned on affordability, public education and limiting wealthy donors’ influence, while Paxton emphasized conservative priorities and Trump’s support. Paxton’s nomination followed his primary victory over incumbent John Cornyn and was shadowed by legal and ethical controversies; reports put general-election spending above $575 million. Cornyn congratulated Talarico on the major Democratic breakthrough in a state long considered a Republican stronghold.